The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry received $10 million in grants for Oklahoma meat processors through the state’s CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund.
“Agriculture processing never stopped during this pandemic,” said Secretary of Agriculture, Blayne Arthur. “This grant money is an exceptional opportunity for our Oklahoma meat processing industry to add processing capacity. Changes within existing facilities, as well as adding more plants and expanding existing plants, would greatly help mitigate the effects we have seen on the food supply chain during this pandemic.”
The funds will allow processors in the state to expand their businesses and expand meat processing capacity. Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Rodd Moesel commended the grant, stating it “will provide a great step toward increasing processing capacity in our state and, in turn, build strong, local markets for agriculture producers while ensuring a safe, stable food supply for all Oklahomans.”
New and existing meat processing businesses, including registered custom-exempt, state-inspected, federally-inspected establishments, will be eligible to apply for these grants of up to $1 million each to help construct new facilities or expand existing facilities.
